The death of Mrs Marion Fisher (nee Robertson) on 11 April 2024, just a couple of days shy of her 101st birthday, marked the end of an era for the Coonamble district.Mrs Fisher was the last known surviving World War II veteran in the area, following soon after the passing of serviceman Michael (Mick) Leonard on 21 March 2024, at the age of 101.With the Second World War raging as she left secondary school in Sydney, Marion joined the Women's Australian National Service in 1941 at the age of 18.The girls did a mechanical course, learning how to change tyres, oil and the basics of engines.They also volunteered to make and serve meals to servicemen who were on leave in her home town of Wollongong."I got my licence to drive very early in the peace," she told the Coonamble Times last year. "The second World War had broken out and I joined up."Marion was also called on to drive trucks for the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAF), including trips carrying troops between Sydney and Wollongong under cover of darkness.On 19 April 1943 she joined the Australian Army Medical Women's Service.After three months the unit was posted to Australian General Hospital 101 at Colonel Light Gardens in Adelaide, where they were trained to be nursing orderlies.In November 1944 Marion travelled from Adelaide by train to Quorn in South Australia and then on an American Truck Convoy to Katherine in the Northern Territory.PHOTO: Marion Fisher (nee Robertson) as a young WWII servicewoman.It was a journey that took 14 days and she was in the last of two hundred trucks and spoke of how dusty it was.It was then on to Adelaide River and finally Darwin.They arrived in Darwin only a few weeks after it had been bombed.She left Darwin in December 1944 aboard the hospital ship Wanganella."I remember Mum mentioning that the nurses were using long sticks to push mines away from the side of the ship in the Arafura Sea," said her son Bill Fisher.The hospital ship carried wounded soldiers and Prisoners of War (POWs) from New Guinea, the Middle East and the Solomon Islands.The ship returned to Sydney via Townsville and Marion was posted to Herne Bay (now Riverwood) to the Australian Hospital 101, where she continued nursing wounded soldiers for another two years until she was discharged from service in December 1946.PHOTO: Michael (Mick) Leonard"A lot of people she nursed were from Changi POW Camp," said Bill. "She said a lot of them were so malnourished you could see every bone in their body and they struggled to keep them alive."After caring for the wounded Marion settled back into civilian life with some difficulty at the end of her war service but returned to Mt Kembla to her parent's home where she cared for her ailing father who was carrying injuries from his time in the trenches in France in World War I.She moved with her new husband Alan Colwell Fisher to Coonamble in 1954.Despite multiple inquiries by friends and family members, throughout her long life Marion was never officially recognised for her military service until after her death. Earlier reasons given were that she did not serve a long enough period in a war zone.However, on her passing her family were assisted by Bruce Horwood, the President of the Gilgandra RSL Sub-branch and others to receive from the Department of Defence the honours of a War Medal 1939-45; an Australia Service Medal 1939-45; and a Returned from Active Service Badge.Her family were pleased to see Marion's dedicated service finally marked as they farewelled her at St Barnabas Anglican Church, Coonamble on Friday 19 April.Lest we forget.

A NSW coronial inquiry has accepted the evidence of the mother of a teenager who died under strange circumstances in 1987 that Bourke was divided and "racist" during the time.The inquiry into the deaths of two Bourke cousins in 1987 has found there were 'serious failings' by police during the initial investigation – including a failure to take crucial evidence from the girl's families36 years ago the bodies of Mona Lisa Smith, 16, a Murrawarri and Kunja girl, and Jacinta Rose "Cindy" Smith, 15, a Wangkumara girl, were found at the site of a car crash 50 kilometres outside of Bourke on December 6 1987.40-year-old excavator Alexander Grant was also in the car at the time, but he had only minor injuries.Evidence at the time suggested that Mr Grant had provided the girls with alcohol before they went into car.Mr Grant was subsequently charged with indecently interfering with Cindy's corpse and culpable driving - and his matter went to trial.However, an all-white jury found him not guilty after his defence team argued that Mona was driving Mr Grant's ute when it crashed. This despite Mona’s family telling investigators that she did not know how to drive a manual. The charge of sexual interference was withdrawn by prosecutors due to a technicality, without the family's knowledge.June and Fiona Smith at the site of the girls deaths in Bourke. Image: The Australian.Mr Grant died in 2018.After a long-waited inquest was held in December, state coroner Teresa O’Sullivan delivered her findings in the Bourke courthouse on Tuesday and said in the days that followed, police conducted a "wholly and ... inexplicably deficient" investigation that failed to result in any charges."This inquest - held because of the unrelenting advocacy of Mona and Cindy’s families - was their final hope to obtain answers about the circumstances of the deaths of their beloved girls," wrote O'Sullivan in her findings."[Their] concerns ... were entirely vindicated by the evidence received in this inquest [but] those concerns were repeatedly dismissed."Other former police investigators testified that the investigation was “a nightmare”, “shoddy” and “unprofessional.’’In her 87 page report, Ms O'Sullivan also said that racism was a significant factor in the failings of the initial police investigation saying that if “two white teenage girls died in the same circumstances” she could not conceive of there being “such a manifestly deficient police investigation”.Mona Lisa's sister and mother, Fiona Smith and June Smith, as well Dawn's relative Kerrie Smith and Dawn's mother Cindy Image: The Australian.She accepted the conclusions of an earlier report by Professor Chris Cunneen states that by 1986, there was a “state of tension between police and Aboriginal people in Bourke” and that racial dynamics impacted on policing attitudes and communication with Aboriginal people in the 1980s”Mona’s mother Dawn Smith’s told the inquest: “There were a lot of racist white people in town in the 80s, so we would keep to ourselves. The Aboriginal people all lived on one end of town, near The Reserve and Adelaide St, and the white people all lived up the other end”.Ms O’Sullivan concluded that the evidence had not been taken from the girl’s families as the police had failed to hold adequate meetings with them after the deaths.She said their families had been vindicated in pressing for answers despite being repeatedly pushed back.Ms O’Sullivan recommended that “the Commissioner of the NSW Police Force develop guidelines for the review of investigations relating to deaths that are the subject of a request for advice from the NSW Attorney General to the Commissioner of the NSW Police Force”

 Across Australia, community members march tomorrow to remember and honour those who risked their lives for their country.Many organisations and clubs offer free breakfast or lunch after to bring everyone together following the remembrance services.Here is how two rural communities in the Western Plains will celebrate ANZAC Day.   ANZAC Day in Warren Shire     Warren community members gather for dawn service at 6 a.m. at the Cenotaph Macquarie Park. Five members of the Catafalque Party from the 1./19. Battalion Royal New South Wales Regiment Bravo Company Dubbo NSW will be in attendance.    The service will be followed by free breakfast for everyone at the Warren Services Club.     The Warren March meet-up is at 10:45 a.m. on Dubbo Street near the Warren Services Club. The march starts at 10:55 a.m. to the Cenotaph Macquarie Park where a commemorative service will be held at 11 a.m. Attendees can then enjoy a free sausage sizzle at the park provided by the Warren Services Club and cooked up by council staff and community members.     A Police Vehicle leads the march followed by Veterans, servicemen, and women, along with their friends and family members, and service personnel, followed by groups including schools, children groups, and then many other local community groups.  The Master of Ceremonies for both Warren Services will be local stock and station agent Trevor Wilson.     St Mary’s, Warren Central, Warren Pre-School Kindergarten, Little Possums, and various school children from Boarding Away Schools will be participating along with playgroups and children service groups.     Groups, associations, and individual members are all welcome to lay a wreath in Warren, providing they contact the council beforehand and organise their own wreath.    Collie    Collie members can participate in the commemorative service at the Collie War Memorial led by Karlene Irving after which tea and coffee will be available at the Collie Pub.  Marchers in Gilgandra  ANZAC Day in Gilgandra   The meet-up for Gilgandra's service is at 5:30 a.m. at the Miller Street/Bridge Street corner. Returned and Services League (RSL) Gilgandra Sub-branch President Bruce Harwood will lead the ceremony.    Everyone can then head to the Gilgandra Services Club for a breakfast of a bacon and egg roll at 7 a.m. Breakfast is free for march participants. For everyone else, breakfast is $11.50.     The Gilgandra march starts at the corner of Miller and Bridge Street at 10:45 a.m. The march goes to the Cenotaph at 11 a.m. where Pastor Alan Croquett will present a speech during the memorial service. A member of the RSL handmade poppies which will go in front of the Cenotaph.   All local schools are expected to participate in the march.    The Country Women's Association (CWA) Evening Branch will provide morning tea following the 11 a.m. service at the CWA Rooms on Warren Road for $5 per person.     At approximately 12 p.m. the Royal Australian Airforce is doing a fly-over with a Hercules aircraft from Richmond.     Attendees can later head up to the Gilgandra Services Club for luncheon at 12:30 p.m. and a game of two-up.     There will be a 2:30 p.m. service held as well at the Cooee Lodge Aged Care Facility.   

It's unclear when normal water service will resume for the Walgett village of Rowena as state health authorities mull over water samples.    Walgett Shire has allocated around $20 000 to replace one of the village's two water reservoirs following a boil water alert issued 18 April after E-Coli was detected in the water system.   Drinking water contaminated with E-Coli can cause gastro-intestinal issues including diarrhea and stomach pain.  The shire's Director of Infrastructure and Compliance, Kazi Muhmud, said while the cause of the contamination is unknown at this stage, rodents and damage to one of the reservoirs could have played a part.  "The lid of the tank is damaged," Mr Muhmud said.  "We haven't found anything that indicated that there was vermin or dead animals in the water supply, but the theory is that the bird poo may have caused it.  "Rather than fixing these small tanks, it's best to get a brand new one so we address any issue it may have."  Mr Muhmud said his council will seek quotes for contractors to install a new tank.   He also said new water samples are being taken regularly throughout the week for testing in Sydney.   "We are pumping up the chlorine to kill the bugs and flushing the system. That is the typical course of action."  "If there is no E-Coli present, that's when NSW Health will decide whether to lift the alert or not."  Mr Muhmud said Walgett Shire had not yet received test results when contacted around 11:30am today.   The 2021 national census counted 171 people in Rowena. Walgett Shire advises residents to boil all water intended for consumption.   "Water should be brought to a rolling boil, allowed to cool and stored in a clean, lidded container before refrigeration," an 18 April release said on the on the council's website.  "Boiled or bottled water should be utilised for drinking, cooking, washing uncooked foods (such as seafood or salads), making ice, personal hygiene, pet drinking water, handwashing, teeth cleaning, gargling, face washing of young children and washing toys and children’s utensils.  "Dishes should be washed either in hot soapy water or in a dishwasher. Children are encouraged to bring boiled or bottled water to school until further notice." 

A new report has detailed the significant difference in how some states and regions will be impacted by climate change – with North West NSW getting the biggest rise in summer temperatures.  Rural Bank has released its first climate report which says "The business environment is increasingly uncomfortable. The horizon has more risks and less certainty".  The report says that "climate change is already happening" and while there are global attempts to limit climate change to 1.5 degrees centigrade,  "Average increases of 3°C are now more likely".  It suggests that Australia had its equal eight-warmest year on record and last winter was Australia's warmest on record but it is the predicted knock-on effects to industries like agriculture where the 'food for thought' lies.  Sheep mortality is expected to be go down because of hotter temperatures. Image: Australian Government.  "Climate change will not be evenly distributed around the globe or even within Australia. Air temperature change in some regions may be more than the global average" the report said.   In Queensland the climate is expected to become wetter, while in Victoria it is expected to get hotter and drier.  The report notes that in Queensland warmer temperatures are already reducing the life cycle of wheat and will cause flowering to occur two to three weeks earlier by 2030.  In New South Wales, "temperatures are expected to become hotter across the board – with summer temperatures the most impacted and expected to rise by more than two degrees":.  Andrew Smith. Image: Farm Weekly. "The greatest increases in average temperatures (across NSW) are projected for the northwest of the state during summer" the report concludes.  It says that the north-western NSW region will have have additional 10-20 hot days in the future and predicts an additional 40 hot days (days over 35 degrees) across the region.  "Currently this part of the state experiences between 50 and 80 hot days each year. These projections suggest that by 2030, up to 100 days per year may exceed heat stress thresholds. By 2070 parts of north-western NSW may experience temperatures above the 35°C heat stress threshold across four months annually".  In turn the report suggests that these temperatures will lead to an increase in lamb mortality, decreased lamb birth-weight, reduced milk yield, acute heat stress and fewer days under 0c – thus leading to fewer chilling hours for horticulture.  The report also says that animals mate less in hotter temperatures.  Andrew Smith, Rural Bank Head of Development, Business & Agribusiness said: “Rural Bank sees agribusiness as having an increasingly important role to play in reducing emissions. Understanding the projected impacts regionally and how carbon mitigation programmes work is something we are keen to help Australian farmers better understand”.  “Technological solutions to reduce emissions also appeal to financial markets because new technologies, new patents and protected markets can provide a commercial advantage. The transport sector has benefited from innovations arising from investment of risk capital, yet agriculture is benefitting far less from investment in carbon reduction or sequestration technologies. This should change”, Mr Smith said. 

Access to medical needs at RFDS Medical Services - Condobolin has taken another big step in addressing community needs. The service opened its doors on a part-time basis in February while recruitment for positions took place and now the RFDS has announced it has begun taking bookings for appointments with doctors.“We’re very pleased to be delivering these services in Condobolin,” RFDS South Eastern section (RFDSSE) Executive General Manager Health Services Development, Jenny Beach said.“We understand the importance of the community having access to primary and preventative healthcare services and have worked with Lachlan Shire Council and the Western NSW Local Health District to reestablish a local practice. We thank everyone for their patience,” Ms Beach said.Bulk billing is available for children under 16, pensioners and health care card holders, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. To provide certainty for the Condobolin community, the practice charges a small fee for patients who are not eligible for bulk billing. These fees go back into providing services to the community. Due to ongoing recruitment, there may still be days where a doctor is not on site. Appointments will not be taken for those days and people requiring urgent care will be directed to Condobolin Multipurpose Service.Almost two million people call regional, rural, and remote NSW home. However, access to healthcare services, specialists and support remains a key challenge for those living outside our urban centres so the evolvement of the Condobolin facility is fantastic.As part of ongoing efforts to provide better access to healthcare for our communities, RFDSSE are asking community members from across NSW to share their views and experiences on regional, rural, and remote healthcare, and the role the RFDS plays in delivering frontline services through a brief survey.Dr Shannon Nott, Chief Medical Officer for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (South Eastern Section) said this was an opportunity for people living in regional, remote, and rural NSW to have their say on healthcare.“We know that each person, and each community’s healthcare needs and experiences across regional, rural, and remote NSW are unique. We want to hear the communities’ views and use their insights to positively shape the future of healthcare for people living in these regions,” he said.“By lending your voice, you're helping to highlight what it’s like to access healthcare in regional, rural and remote NSW now; AND shine a light on what you think healthcare in regional, rural and remote NSW should look like in the future.”The survey is open now and will remain open until early May. To access the survey, which takes five to ten minutes to complete, click this link RFDS survey.

With Anzac Day approaching many people will be attending services across the western plains region. Travellers are urged to pay attention to road closures in town centres where marches may be occurring. Check in on the websites or social media of local councils should inform drivers of not only where ANZAC Day services will take place, but also street closures in your area.On a broader scale, motorists should be aware that double demerit points will be in place for five days this ANZAC Day period which coincides with the end of the school holidays.Lachlan Shire Councils' Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, is encouraging people to drive safely and take extra care on the roads."Double demerit points will be in place for all speeding, seatbelt, mobile phone and motorcycle helmet offences between Wednesday 24 April and Sunday 28 April 2024 inclusive,” Ms Suitor said."This will be a busy period on local roads with school holidays coming to an end and visitors to our region returning home.”Ms Suitor said the increase in traffic leads to an increased risk of crashes occurring and that every motorist has a part to play in keeping the roads safe."Watch your speed, drive to conditions, limit distractions in the car, ensure you and your passengers are wearing their seatbelt and don't drive if you have been drinking or consuming drugs."Pay attention to your fatigue levels, plan your trip and if you are experiencing any of the early warning signs like(tired eyes, yawning or poor concentration, stop and have a break.”Double demerit periods typically fall during holiday periods or over long weekends and are enforced by police. They apply throughout the whole of the start date, and end at midnight on the finish date. Please drive safely and take extra care on the roads to protect yourself, your loved ones and all road users.Unsure of what offences attract double demerits?During double demerit periods, double demerit points apply for speeding, illegal use of mobile phones, not wearing a seat belt and riding without a motorcycle helmet.Keep in mind that Mobile Phone Detection Cameras are active in NSW and the ACT and drivers caught using their phones during a double demerit period will be hit with a $352 fine ($469 in a school zone) and 10 demerits. One to keep in mind for next week is that certain driving and parking offences attract an additional demerit point if committed in an operating school zone Remember to always drive with care and attention through school zones. Be aware that failing to do so can come with heavy penalties.

Condobolin-born Rebecca Fox will leave her role as secretary of the Department of Regional NSW in a series of moves NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders has said is treating people from the regions as "second-class citizens." From July 1, the Department of Regional NSW will be renamed the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.  Current chief executive officer of Local Land Services Steve Orr will be the department’s secretary, taking over responsibility for the NSW regions from veteran public servant Ms Fox who lost her job in the re-structure. "This reflects the twin objectives of growing our primary industries through greater focus on extension services, research and development and supporting regional economic development" the Minns government said in a statement. Agriculture and Biosecurity will be grouped to support the delivery of the Independent Commissioners for Agriculture and Biosecurity and reflects the interrelationship between the protection and productivity of our primary industries sector and the environment.Agriculture minister Tara Moriarty said she was looking forward to working with Orr.“Under new leadership, the department will now focus on our key priorities of protecting, supporting, and developing regional NSW. The focus on biosecurity and agriculture will be boosted and the rollout of the new $350 million Regional Development Trust and the review of the Regional Development Act will be elevated,” she said.”Agriculture and biosecurity will be a paired portfolio, reflecting the growing interconnectedness of the biosecurity and farming sectors. It will provide a one-stop shop for the future independent commissioners for agriculture and biosecurity".Dugald Saunders. Image: ABC.But Mr Saunders, the Member for Dubbo, said it’s clear the new Department will be coordinated from Sydney by the city-centric Premier.“This is hard to believe, given during the election campaign he (the premier) said ‘I don’t pretend to have any expertise about regional New South Wales.’” Mr Saunders said.“Instead of providing any funding for the creation of this new Department, the Minns Labor Government has opted to drain the money left in the former Nationals Government Regional Growth fund". .“This money is now being directed towards a restructure that will cause only angst for hundreds of regional workers and their families.Rebecca Fox. Image: Government News.“We already know Labor’s functional review has put more than 100 jobs on the chopping block and now Premier Minns needs to be upfront about how many more are on the way.”Mr Saunders also thanked Ms Fox for her outstanding service and contribution to regional NSW.He said Ms Fox always put the interests of regional NSW at the forefront of decision making.“I worked closely with her during my time as a Minister and wish her all the best for the future.”

“Farmers are very adept problem-solvers and while this is a great quality to have in a practical sense, they can tend to ‘tough it out’ when it comes to their mental health, rather than reaching out for support from others,” said University of South Australia (UNiSA) researcher Dr Donna Hugh-Barton. The suicide rate is twice as high among farmers than it is in other professions, according to the UniSA, yet farmers are half as likely to visit a medical professional about their health. This intractable problem is the subject of a new study launched by UNiSA on 4 April asking farmers themselves what they need in terms of mental health support. Angus Patrick grew up on his family property in the Gulargambone district and now works as a teacher.He says the isolation of life on the farm can catch up to you.“I know exactly what it is like living on a big property 50 kilometers outside of town. You get used to being isolated. But if you’re not reflecting on what’s wrong, you start to develop bigger problems later in life.”Angus Patrick IMAGE: RAMPHThe temperamental nature of working in a job that is heavily reliant on the weather and markets can cause farmers to suffer, according to coordinator Gabrielle Schultz from the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) which operates in the western plains region.“The challenges of being a farmer are all the big issues like disasters, weather events, and fluctuating market," she said."On top of that people are dealing with personal problems for example health issues, grief, loss, relationship breakdowns, and financial stress.”Part of the RAMHP Coordinator's role is to share information about mental health services available to people in rural areas. Many of the service providers hail from regional and remote areas themselves which allows them to establish a connection with the farming community. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to mental health care in the farming community, however, Schulz said a common solution is finding someone to relate to.“What people want can be really different and can change throughout time but what has been consistent, in my experience, is finding someone to share a genuine connection.”Mr Patrick said conventional questions we ask to check in on a loved one can cause farmers to close up.“Farmers are so used to hearing that line ‘Are you okay?’ that I think, at times, it can frustrate them. They don’t want to talk because the question is directed at them. I think revising what’s being asked, can sometimes be more helpful.”Dr Donna Hughes-BartonPatrick suggested reframing the question to, “I can see that you’re struggling. Is there anything I can do to help?”Before helping someone else, Patrick said the most important message is to help yourself first.“Everybody seems to look after each other before they actually look after themselves. Of course, check in with everybody else. But making sure that you’re in the right frame of mind first.”Ms Schultz says that many farmers prefer telehealth services because of the flexibility they offer.“They don’t need to travel, and they can contact them at a time that suits them best.” When Patrick’s father spoke about the impact the drought had on him, he said the best thing he could do was to reassure him that he was not alone.“He needed the reassurance that he wasn’t alone. I think he thought that it was just him.”Links to the RAHMP program are provided here. Farmers can support the study to improve mental health services for farmers by filling out the anonymous survey from UniSA here.

Stakeholders are calling for state and federal governments to radically ramp up eradication efforts against red fire ants after nests were detected for the first time in the north-eastern tip of the Murray-Darling Basin near Toowoomba, about 65 kilometres outside Queensland's containment zone. Multiple nests were reported on a property in Oakley, about 30 kilometres from Toowomba on Tuesday 16 April. The invasive species from South America kills wildlife and leaves painful stings on people and livestock. Outbreaks can devastate agricultural output.“If these pests infest the whole nation, it is estimated that 83,100 Australians could need medical attention for fire ant attacks each year, while our agricultural industry could see its output reduce by up to 40 per cent," said NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin. “As well as being potentially deadly to humans, fire ants can sting native and domestic animals, harm livestock, ruin our natural environment and wreak havoc on fruit trees, beehives, pastures and crops. “This is not just any another ant, and we have no choice but to eradicate these pests and fast if we want to spare our nation ongoing and serious pain.”  The ants can also raft down waterways to invade new areas by linking their claws and trapping air under their bodies to travel long distances in large groups.That is why the new discovery, only around four kilometres from Oakey Creek, has sparked fears the super-spreaders are on the brink of entering the waterways of the Murray Darling Basin, part of Australia's largest river system. Fire ants 'rafting' on water. IMAGE: HowStuffWorks NFF President David Jochinke said action to eradicate the species should have been completed decades ago. "We cannot let this become a national problem, our governments must not stall for a second longer, Mr Jochinke said. “RIFA are a significant national biodiversity threat to Australian agriculture, farming families, and human health. “Governments need to step-up and contribute toward funding the national cost-sharing plan if disastrous impacts on agriculture, human health, and biodiversity are to be avoided." Advocacy Manager for the Invasive Species Council, Reece Pianta, said alarm bells should be ringing in the Prime Minister’s office. "The government must spare no expense in responding to this outbreak and the whole community should treat this very, very seriously." "While we have full confidence in the National Eradication Program’s response to this outbreak, we are very worried that not enough money is being spent by governments on the fire ant invasion."Red fire ant stings. IMAGE: Agriculture WA Mr Pianta said northern NSW residents should keep an eye out for the fire ants. "Particularly if you have had any recent material delivered to your property like soil, turf or mulch," Mr Pianta said. "Fire ants are one of the world’s worst super pests and, if they are allowed to spread across the continent, their economic impact will be greater than cane toads, rabbits, feral cats and foxes combined." According to the National Fire Ant Eradication Program (NFAEP), fire ants are highly mobile and spread rapidly. The ants can vary in size between two and six millimetres. They are a shiny red-brown colour and typically have a darker abdomen. The discovery came just two days after the Senate Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport handed down it's report from a six-month inquiry into Australia's response to the pests. One of the recommendations was for state and federal governments to commit further funds to "research, development, and innovation to improve understanding of red imported fire ants."

Member for Barwon Roy Butler will return to from overseas study tour with an idea he will push modular and panelised homes as a cost effective way to increase housing supply. Mr Butler is embarking on his Commonwealth Parliamentary Study tour that will take him to Asia, Europe, and North America. He has examined topics ranging from agriculture and aquaculture to freight loading, trade, and manufacturing. He landed in Singapore on April 9 before going on to Thailand and is now in Italy. He has met with various government and non-government groups, including visiting the Parliaments in Malaysia and Canada to understand better how other parliaments operate and meet with members of parliament. Butler with Dr Ismail in Kuala Lumpur. Image: Supplied, But the independent MP made a particular note of his meetings in Malaysia relating to housing affordability where he with Dr Suraya Ismail, Director of Research at the Khazanah Research Institute in Kuala Lumpur. "As in Australia, the price of housing against normal incomes has made home ownership out of reach for most people. Social Housing and affordable housing is scarce. Made worse by cost of living pressures and wages that have not kept up with the CPI" Mr Butler said. "Some attempts to move public housing to private ownership has resulted in costs of ownership overwhelming the new owners. You might remember it’s something we tried in the last Parliament in NSW.". He explained after talking with Dr Ismail he became convinced of a solution he had been mulling for some time – modular and panelised home construction, built off site and then transported to the home site. With a panelised building system, the structural components of a home (walls, roof and floor systems) are constructed in a factory and delivered to the jobsite where it is and finished just like a stick-built home. Modular homes are built almost entirely in a factory. The house is constructed in separate box-like modules—complete with attached walls, floor, ceiling, wiring, plumbing and interior fixtures—which are transported and put tgether onsite. This is typically a more affordable option to panelized building. "I have met with companies that are doing this in Australia and met with the planning Minister Paul Scully to progress the pattern planning aspect" Mr Butler said. "This could hurt the hip pocket of developers and large building companies, so expect them to resist". Panelised home. Image: Harvest Homes. House prices have risen across Australia over the decade to 2023 – with prices across many parts of NSW doubling.  A median-income household can afford less than 40% of homes sold across Australia. Mr Butler will return to Australia on April 28 with Canada the last stop on his tour.

Controlled burns and fencing are the best ways to reduce "environmentally devastating" feral cat numbers across the region says the Australian Wildlife Consultancy (AWC). Late last year, the Commonwealth Government released its draft plan for tackling the feral cat crisis. The AWC said it welcomed the plan as a "step in the right direction" - but has specific strategies it wants the government to hone in on.  It is thought that cats have caused profound species loss in Australia, giving Australia the worst mammal extinction rate of any country in modern times. Over 10% of the Australian terrestrial mammal species present 250 years ago are now extinct – with around 40 mammal species now completely extinct because of cats. Joey Clarke, Australian Wildlife Conservancy Senior Science Communicator said that studies of cats near Western NSW showed that while many cats are territorial they can travel hundreds of kilometres in one day. IMAGE: Rural Fire Service Mr Clarke said there were around two million feral cats in Australia during drought periods and up to eight million when the weather was wetter and prey was more abundant. "They have been an absolute disaster for Australia's biodiversity," he said "It's really only in the last ten to fifteen years that we have realised just how catastrophic cats have been. Each cat eats between five and seven mammals every night". He said that dealing with a problem that exists in such landscape had proved problematic with options such as trapping, baiting and hunting shown not to be effective. Large fenced off areas, with "six foot high fences" had, Mr Clarke said, by contrast been shown to work restore populations of animals like bandicoots, numbats and bilbies. Joey Clarke AWC There are about ten such large scale fencing projects around the country. But he said what the AWC is really pushing for is the controlled burns that "leave enough habitat around to shelter native animals". "It's all about managing vegetation." Mr Clarke "Native animals are well adapted to fires, feral cats are not – with the fires leading to large scale cat population reduction". "By contrast when fires burn wildly and the whole of habitat is destroyed, feral cats can really take advantage of that situation and that poses a disaster for small mammals". Meanwhile a spokeswoman from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water said that the Department is still sifting through information from the Threat Abatement Plan for Predation by Feral Cats released last year. "The department is considering extensive feedback received through the public consultation on the draft updated. The department will amend the draft plan as required and in consultation with state and territory governments, given their in-principle agreement to sign up to the final plan"."In the meantime, we continue to provide significant support for on-ground feral cat control and applied research".

The NSW Government is looking to roll out The Welcome Experience to more locations in an attempt to help boost the regional workforce. The program is a basically a concierge service that helps essential workers like nurses, teachers, police, and paramedics move - then settle - into their new communities.At each location, a “Local Connector” helps essential workers moving from outside the region to find things like schools, sporting clubs, places to live, and they can help with partner employment and make introductions to help them feel at home quickly.Walgett was one of the eight locations selected to roll out the pilot program.Amy Loomes, a police officer who grew up in Sydney, moved her family from Cronulla to Walgett last year and said the program has been wonderful to help them all settle in and get familiar with a new community.“In the early days, we got an email from Alana Copelin who is the welcome experience person here is Walgett,” Amy said. “I said to my husband, if we’re going to make this move, we have to throw everything into it and become involved in the community as much as we can.”“Alana grew up in Walgett, so she was the ideal person to make a connection with, because she knows the place so well.”Amy said she caught up for coffee with Ms Copelin and chatted about her family’s different interests and reasons for moving to Walgett. She then “threw herself into everything,” based on Ms Copelin’s recommendations, becoming involved in the garden club and town sports.“Alana said she would compile information about what we could get involved with in town, based around our interests,” Amy said. “She organised a girl’s night so I could meet some local ladies and before that she introduced me to another lady whose son was the wife of a local farmer, and her son was going to be starting school at same time as my son. Everyone was just unbelievably welcoming.”“In a city you don't realise how busy you are, often doing things you don’t really want to. You don’t realise how you are missing real connection with people, not to mention the time wasted on travelling to work through the traffic.Ms Copelin even helped organise laying hens for the Loomes family and now the children love collecting the eggs, fresh from the back yard.There are lots of little things that go to giving a new family a warm country welcome.Ms Loomes said she and her family can’t imagine ever returning to Sydney and city life.“The welcome program was invaluable to us. We get group emails to know what’s coming up and Alana often checks how we are going – she is so personable and approachable and passionate about her community. A lot of people move to remote areas and don’t think much happens, and they just stick to themselves and stay isolated, but they don’t realise there is a really big community out there.”

Western Plains creatives will get a leg up in the creative industry as part of the Horizons mentoring program. 75 16 to 27-year-olds from regional NSW will pair with 14 mentors from their chosen field. The mentors will support groups within the program over 18 months, launched by the Regional Arts Network.One of those young people is Bourke ceramics artist Kayla Amos. She's been working with clay since she was 13. "There was a group of old ladies who used to teach me. I used to go to their pottery group," Kayla said. "I love the tactile nature of the clay, but I also just like to be able to capture the texture. "I also paint on the ceramics as well. It's just a nice surface and a nice way of expressing myself." The 27-year-old said the mentorship can help her become a full-time practicing artist. "When you're starting out it can be a bit hard to know exactly what are the right steps to take," Kayla said. "And so I think having a mentor is just really to be able to talk some of those things and get a bit of guidance. The arts field is not a clear cut kind of field. "It's just making the steps a little bit clearer." Georgia Spence. IMAGE: Supplied25-year-old Coonabarabran visual artist Georgia Spence, who also got into the program said she one day wants to hold an arts exhibition "to completely immerse the senses." "I would use projection mapping on specific shaped statues, to represent various natural elements. I would also like to hold digital art workshops to teach people new skills. I think creative outlets and opportunities are important, especially in rural communities." Georgia, who also works as a journalist at The Coonabarabran Times, said didn't think she'd get into the program when she applied late last year. "I am excited to bounce ideas off like-minded people and I hope to pass on my experience and knowledge to others, once this mentorship is complete," Georgia said. "I hope it brings a strong network of creative minds, who also live in regional areas and understand the lack of creative resources some towns have. I hope it also brings a sense of motivation and direction for my ideas." "It is a mentorship, so rather than teaching you, they guide and support you through your ideas and projects." She'll join the program along with fellow local creatives Alec De Wet and Anikan Evans. Alicia Leggett is Executive Director of Orana Arts, a member of the Regional Arts Network and said the program is expected to be "transformative." “Our aim is to provide participants with new pathways to explore work and study pathways in the creative industries," Alicia said. “Participants will be paired with experienced mentors from their chosen field to address the needs and interests of each individual and support them to connect to a strong network of peers early in their careers."

A farming industry source has said that Western Plains producers are afraid to speak out on the conduct of business supermarkets because they are worried it will lead to a loss of contract in the tightly controlled market.  The source, who wanted to remain anonymous, said that local farmers are in a position where they are unable to speak out for fear of market retribution of one of the big three – Bunnings, Coles and Woolworths.  Currently in Canberra, the Select Committee on Supermarket Prices is undertaking hearings for its "inquiry into and report on the price setting practices and market power of major supermarkets".  The inquiry is looking at why the supermarkets are both raising prices and profits at a time when many Australians are struggling with cost of living.  The National Farmers Federation released a statement on April 17 saying that "Despite two days of intense questioning in Canberra, including a grilling for each of Bunnings, Coles and Woolworths, the supermarkets and big box stores still appear to be in denial about their behaviour and the loss of public trust and support".  NFF Horticulture Council Chair Jolyon Burnett said the pressure needed to be kept up if the right outcomes are to be secured for the Australian public and farming sector.  “The Senate Select Committee inquiry into supermarket price gouging has been a revealing and at times alarming window into supermarket behaviour. But the Australian public is only just getting an understanding of the true nature of price gouging and the poor treatment of fresh produce and other suppliers,” said Mr Burnett.  Inquiry: Shepparton News.  At the inquiry this week outgoing Woolworths chief executive Brad Banducci was warned by Inquiry Chair Nick McKinn he could be held in contempt of the Senate and face potential jail time after after refusing answer questions at the inquiry.  . The Woolworths Group has not responded to the exchange, but at the inquiry's start on Tuesday it released a statement saying "While at Woolworths, we are now seeing falling rates of grocery inflation, nevertheless, we understand that many of our customers are under immense cost of living pressure. This is primarily due to rising mortgage repayments, rent and transport costs, which have all gone up in double digits."   Brad Banducci. Image: Woolworths.  Ms Burnett said “We expect more to be unveiled through the ongoing ACCC inquiry into supermarkets that will only conclude next year, and we look forward to a final report in a few months from Craig Emerson on what changes might be made to the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct to help create a fairer and more transparent trading environment.  “Today while CEOs are fielding questions about their poor practices, Australian avocado growers are getting offered an average of only 78 cents per piece while they retail in store at $1.50. “What then infuriates growers, who are also supermarket customers, is witnessing prices rise far more steeply at retail than they are at farmgate.”  

Over 150 people are urged to boil water in Rowena Village after Walgett Shire detected E-Coli in a recent water sample. “E-Coli has been detected in a recent water sample, indicating contamination of the water supply. A boil water alert has been issued effective immediately,” according to an 18 April release on the council website.Drinking water contaminated with E-Coli can cause gastro-intestinal issues including diarrhea and pneumonia. “Residents are strongly advised to boil all water intended for consumption. Water should be brought to a rolling boil, allowed to cool and stored in a clean, lidded container before refrigeration.”“Boiled or bottled water should be utilised for drinking, cooking, washing uncooked foods (such as seafood or salads), making ice, personal hygiene, pet drinking water, handwashing, teeth cleaning, gargling, face washing of young children and washing toys and children’s utensils.  “Dishes should be washed either in hot soapy water or in a dishwasher. Children are encouraged to bring boiled or bottled water to school until further notice.” Walgett Shire said it’s flushing the main water systems across the village and replacing a reservoir. “Additional testing will also take place early next week and the community will be notified of the outcome.”“We appreciate the community’s cooperation and understanding as we work to resolve this matter.”

Surrounded by old documents in the District Archives directly under Coonamble’s Council Chamber, longtime friends Pauline Ditchfield and retired university history teacher Adjunct Associate Professor Carol Liston have been busy sifting through the town’s past.  With much of the district's heritage lost to floods, fires, relocations and demolitions, the underground construction of the town's archives beneath the shire chambers when the building was extended and remodelled in that late 1980s, means important documents are offered maximum security and kept according to best archival practice.It is the management of the 'paperwork' that is an ongoing challenge for a small group of local volunteers and visiting helpers.“It’s bit of a detective job working out what things are,” Dr Liston said. “You just don’t know each time you open [documents]. That’s part of the excitement.”Work began Tuesday 2 April to open, register and catalogue items shedding a light on life in the area over a century ago. “For example, this one here,” Dr Liston said, holding a plastic sleeve of receipts, “they’ve been partly rat eaten or destroyed, but they’re from 1895, which are the earliest years that Coonamble existed.”“There’s people selling sheep and carting goods for Dalgety and Co. [stock agency at the time].”“It’s a bit of a mix. We found the first layout of the streets and what buildings were on them before the [1929] fire. “One of the ones we were just going through was for a business that we worked out was the barber shop, hairdresser, the tobacconist and the billiards room.“If you went to have your hair cut, you’d just put it on the account because you didn’t have a credit card or you didn’t have cash.“These are the people who’d had a haircut, bought some tobacco for their pipe and then others who’d gone in to have a game [of billiards].“So, they’ve put them on the account because they’re only small amounts and then they’d get an account from the shopkeeper each month to pay up. “These ledgers of small purchases in themselves reflect commercial trust within the community.”“These records, when someone’s got the time to look at them properly, are part of the rural history of NSW, let alone Coonamble.”It picks up on archiving work Pauline's husband Gordon had carried out since the archives were built in 1993 before he passed six years ago.The paperwork has been piling up since.PHOTO: Pauline Ditchfield with one of the oldest known maps of Coonamble township.“People have been giving things, leaving them here,” Dr Liston said.“It’s a bit like abandoning babies on the church door. It’s always better if people can say who’s left them and where they might have come from, because otherwise we get bundles of papers that we have to try and work out.”Dr Liston, who taught heritage and history at Western Sydney University for 30 years, said while new items will be registered in a digital database, paper records will also continue.She said the records are sorted into labelled boxes organised “so that if someone wants to find them, they can be found, either manually or electronically.”People wanting access to records can get in touch with Coonamble Shire Council to arrange assistance from a member of the Archives Committee.The committee, which was revived on 12 March 2024 after a lengthy hiatus, has committed to bringing the document management backlog under control.

Nine of Australia’s most outstanding nurses, midwives and organisations have been announced as finalists in the 2024 HESTA Australian Nursing & Midwifery Awards. Among the finalists is the Healthy Communities Foundation Australia (HCFA) which is based in Collarenebri.The HESTA awards are widely recognised in the health industry, acknowledging the outstanding contribution of Australia’s nurses, midwives, nurse educators, researchers, and personal care workers’ dedication to improving health outcomes. A group of industry experts from across the health sector evaluated several exceptional nominations and chose finalists for the categories of Nurse of the Year, Midwife of the Year, and Outstanding Organisation. Healthy Communities Foundation Australia CEO, Mark Burdack is thrilled that Healthy Communities Foundation Australia has been recognised as a finalist for improving access to primary healthcare services in remote and Aboriginal communities.“It is humbling experience to be selected from numerous nominations by a panel of health experts as health organisation of the year,” said Mr Burdack. “It is a testament to the extraordinary work that our nursing staff do every day across our aged care, mental health and community health programs,” said Mr Burdack.Mark Burdack, CEO of HCFA IMAGE: HCFAIn addition to providing local access to health care, HCFA has established the Dhirri-li Education for Work Centre to train Aboriginal people for entry level roles in the health and social care system to address lack of employment opportunities, and the social determinants of health.The Foundation was nominated for its commitment to nurse-led care as demonstrated across various units of the organisation including HealthAccess Community Care - Collarenebri (Rishoniy Caine), HealthAccess Home Care, HealthAccess Mobile Care and HealthAccess Mind Care which involves 2024 Graduate Nurse of the Year, Celeste Russell from Cumborah.Rishoniy Caine who works in Health Access Community Care in Collarenebri. IMAGE: HCFAHESTA CEO Debby Blakey congratulated the finalists, who were selected from hundreds of nominations from around the country.  "Congratulations to all finalists, who represent the epitome of dedication, compassion, and professionalism in the fields of nursing and midwifery. It’s fantastic to learn about their individual stories and accomplishments,” Ms Blakey said."We owe a great deal to our nurses, midwives, and the organisations whose work makes a meaningful difference for their communities and healthcare industries around Australia. It’s fantastic the HESTA Awards can help showcase their outstanding work." Mr Burdack said he is looking forward to the presentations.“I am looking forward to attending the award ceremony in Melbourne on 16 May 2024 with members of our nursing team,” he said.

In the vast far west, there are 15 solicitors from six law practices who service almost 160,000 square kilometres. It is food for thought in a round table discussion that takes place today.President of the Law Society of NSW Brett McGrath says the talks, to be hosted by the Far West Regional Law Society, will explore proposals to improve access to justice for outback communities.“People living in Far West communities including Bourke and Cobar, endure enormous barriers to justice,” Mr McGrath said.“With 15 solicitors from six law practices servicing almost 160,000 square kilometres, people living in Far West communities endure enormous barriers to justice."The far west region extends west from a line that can be drawn through Bourke and Cobar.Broken Hill, the largest town in the area, has a couple of solicitors but not nearly enough, especially if you need help with criminal law.“Broken Hill itself has just a handful of solicitors in private practice and just one who regularly practices in criminal law,” Mr McGrath said. “This can leave some accused with no choice but to represent themselves. Access to proper legal advice can mean the difference between incarceration and an accused person keeping their jobs and supporting their families.”Mr McGrath encouraged lawyers to extend themselves by working in outback areas. “Legal practice in rural, regional and remote areas presents remarkable opportunities for legal practitioners eager to expand the variety of matters they work on,” Mr McGrath said. “Solicitors working in these regions can make a life changing difference to people facing diverse legal challenges from criminal law, family law, tenancy and helping financially vulnerable clients deal with credit and debt issues before they become insurmountable.”But, attracting and retaining legal practitioners in remote areas remains a challenge.“The Law Council of Australia (LCA) has proposed a novel initiative to persuade solicitors to spend at least two years practising law in remote communities,” President of the Far West Regional Law Society Steven Wright said.“Relief for HELP (also known as HECS) debt is already helping regional communities recruit doctors, nurse practitioners and teachers to where they’re most needed. A similar scheme developed by the LCA late last year could likewise help our communities obtain the access to justice they need.”In addition to HELP relief, Mr Wright said governments should invest in the ‘liveability’ of remote communities by improving infrastructure and services like accommodation and childcare, the benefits of which would flow to the whole community.John Tadros, Principal Solicitor, Far West Community Legal Centre calls the situation “postcode injustice.”“Unfortunately, your postcode determines so much in New South Wales. In regional, rural and remote areas like ours, many of the legal issues people face stem from inadequate access to services, health, social and economic support,” he said. “Vital supports – like safe houses, free legal assistance, and specialist health care – are limited or stretched to capacity at the best of times, but often don’t exist at all.”